joining me now from washington, congressman steve israel, democrat of new york. congressman, nice to see you back here on the show. >> thanks, brooke. >> i understand you, yourself, have been reaching out to some of the house republicans on this. have you spoken to any of them? >> i have. and you're right, it is tough for a republican to break with his or her party and sign this petition to give a tax cut to 100% of all americans on the first $250,000. what's tougher, i think, is for them to go home and have to explain to people who are making $100,000, $200,000 that they're not going to get a tax break, that their taxes are going to go up $2,000 in order to protect the richest 2%. now, look, i personally believe that that $250,000 figure is too low. if you represent a high cost of living area like mine, i think it should be higher. but i'm not willing to go back to long island and explain to somebody who is making less than $250,000 that they're going to be held hostage for people making more. agree on the 250 and get to the higher number. >> the republican as y